There are some obvious indicators that existing activities are not providing solutions. There is not a good model of job finding in the community, as options to choose from are limited due to the remote nature of these communities. First Nation communities need to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of community, whether or not the Chief and Council members change. First Nation communities need to listen to their members and listen to other communities that are learning and willing to share. Participant E stated, “There is very little to show for all that money spent.”
Participant F stated, “We need to be taken seriously by our own people, as well as the outside funders.”
Participant E concurred with the statement,
We have to be able to offer the counselling required, to offer the life skills training required, to offer the literacy programs required, to offer adult education, because themajority of our First Nation members for certain do not have the required education.
ECs in rural and northern Manitoba are burning out, and the general turnover is too high. There were comments that suggested participants do not feel respected or see where they belong. Participant F described economic development over the past few decades: “As First Nations have developed their own abilities to govern, they have not been successful in all areas of human resource capacity to fill professional jobs.”
Participant F added, “I get muzzled once in a while.”
Participant E talked about policies on reserves: “The First Nation community, there is no such thing as policies that protect us.”
Later on in discussion Participant E added, “It’s a tough role living and working on the rez.”